My Christmas came early; I'm delighted to announce that I have just been cast as RICK DECKARD in the stage version of BLADE RUNNER.

I knew all those years of being mistaken for Harrison Ford would finally pay off ;) There is a FANTASTIC TEAM behind this and more details other than those below will follow soon. As an actor it's a (electric) dream role, so many psychological aspects to explore in this one, a real emotional roller coaster ride and I can't wait to get stuck in.

It's part of the fabulous LASSFEST at the Lass O'Gowrie, the following shows are running from Wed 2 Jan - Sat 2 Feb 2013... LIVE ON STAGE Vintage 1970s Coronation Street episodes, V For Vendetta, Harvey, An American Werewolf in London, Withnail and I, and Blade Runner. NEW DRAMAS My Gay Best Frien - BLADE RUNNER will close the Fest running from Wednesday 30th January to Sat 2nd February 2013.

Well I'M FRANK MORGAN went down a storm with audiences at The Black Lion last week; audiences really enjoyed the show. A huge and hearty THANK YOU to all those that came and for your lovely feedback on the play; a play we haven't seen the last of, but it will be a few months before Frank returns. So, chill out now yeah? Kick back for a while and rest? Those that know me will know that I don't like the grass growing under my feet...so, no, I'm not chilling out - something is cooking.

Diane's Deli: Image Darren McGinn

DIANE'S DELI: A Tale from Paradise HeightsThe next Tale from Paradise Heights will soon be upon us. I completed the writing of the first draft of this back in July. The thing with Tales from Paradise Heights for me is always about raising the bar with each new tale, trying to do something that was better than the last one. This tale is already the best tale I have written in the series so far. It's a thriller, a mystery, a love story, a horror story. A first draft filled with layers, colourful characters (at least one well known to Tales from Paradise Heights fans) and I believe it's a tale that will chill, thrill and excite, a tale that will have audiences laughing and shedding a tear or two. After Ian Curley's FANTASTIC direction on I'M FRANK MORGAN I had no hesitation in sending it to him with a view to him directing it, he is doing, so we've already got a winning combination. After sitting and chatting with him about it some really interesting idea came out of it. Ian was alive with ideas around it, so I'm set to give it another draft. A reshaping; what is already a cracking tale will only get better.It's par for the course to approach theatre's in the area with a view to putting it on; whoever scores this as a premiere theatre wise is going to be glad they did. So I'm trying something a little different. I'm asking theatres to approach us - to invite us in for a chat about it - my best script so far; have a look at the canon of work on this site that has come from Tales from Paradise Heights potent combination of writing/directing and acting from some of the best casts in the region - if not the country. I know I'm being optimistic...it's supposed to work the other way round. Actually it's probably quite outrageous and impertinent, how dare I? I know...it's not a two way street, but wouldn't it be nice if it was? Be bold and invite us in from the cold...something is cookin' down the Deli.

Another blinding night on this run of I'M FRANK MORGAN at The Black Lion. Again a unanimous audience, all thoroughly enjoying the show. Tonight is the last night of the show and the last time Frank will be seen in Salford or Manchester for a while. Come and see what had the critics buzzing; Director IAN CURLEY's dramatic new version of a tense psychological chiller thriller...scroll down for details on the show, trailers, clips and reviews...witness Frank Morgan taking on his toughest opponent yet...Title Fight; the fight of Frank Morgan's life...book yourself a ringside ticket and hope to see you there....see below the link to book your ticket...Joe x

First and foremost - THIS EVENT IS NOT SOLD OUT - there was an error on the Future Artists Eventbrite booking page but that has now been corrected by Future Artists - these things happen.So - the show.Well opening night went down an absolute storm. We had a very small audience - but they were fantastic and unanimously enjoyed it; I'm happy to say the audience outnumbered the cast - but the play is a monologue - lol. It is a tragedy that the play isn't getting more numbers but that's all part of the game and the two busiest nights are yet to come. It's difficult selling a play people think they have seen before. It's the third outing of the production, each time getting great reviews, each outing has been a radical re-interpretation. This is beyond doubt the most powerful interpretation of the character so far - the last ten minutes are chilling to the extreme - and it really sets out the road for where I will be taking Frank Morgan next. He still has a journey within Tales from Paradise Heights, we haven't seen the last of the shark. There are trailers and review quotes in the entry's below this post so scroll down if you haven't seen them - but it's clear this is an unforgettable tale to audiences, it would be great to see you there - the last two nights, tonight and Saturday night - 8 pm at The Black Lion, Salford.You CAN book your tickets here - ;) See ya...Joe x

Well as I write this it's about 24 and a half hours before I will have finished my first performance as Frank Morgan in the John Cooper Clark Studio, The Black Lion, Salford - opening Thurs 15th November and running until Saturday night.It's standard to say 'tickets are selling like hot cakes on a cold night - there may be a few seats left!' etc...But they aren't selling like hot cakes. They are BARELY SELLING 'to be Frank' ;) I can understand it - many people will think they've seen it before - but as I've said before this is a bold new version - a re-invention from director IAN CURLEY that has given the play a fresh vibrancy, new blood and is exploring depths of the character untapped. It's already reaped dividends in the excellent reviews we got at The Octagon Theatre, Bolton in September. It's going to be a real shame if this plays to just a few people but that won't stop the effort Ian and I are putting in, nor the tremendous efforts Future Artists are putting in promoting the production. It's a fifty minute play, and you can have a drink while you're watching it, indeed you could make a night out of it and have a meal in the Black Lion before the play kicks off at 8 pm. As with any performance I'll be giving it my best shot each night for this limited run. Once over I'll be diving into the next production in the series -DIANE'S DELI which will be premiering in the New Year - a play I would never have written, along with all the other critically acclaimed productions on this website if it hadn't been for a certain bastard loan shark, sociopathic monster, owner of the infamous Paradise Heights Night Club THE ACE OF SPADES...FRANK MORGAN. No doubt he has damaged many lives around him throughout the series, his shadow falls on many things in Paradise Heights - many people there strive to be like Frank, many dream and scheme of bringing him down. Not that that bothers Frank. All his life he's taken on some of the hardest that have ever drew breath and they've all ended up broken...or buried. But as those who see this production will see...his toughest opponent of them all is himself. For the next three nights Frank Morgan will tussle with the Devil, a Devil he knows too well, a Devil he see's in the mirror every day...Title Fight. Can he win? Get yourself a ringside ticket...Share the blog, spread the word....it would be lovely to see you. Joe xBOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE:http://iamfrankmorgan.eventbrite.com/#

My brother, DAVID O'BYRNE; World Masters Natural Body Building Championships WORLD CHAMPION in the over 50's Category, 2012

It all started out as a bet...

A few years ago, my rugby playing brother, Dave, had a bet with a few of his team mates that when he was 50 he would enter a body building competition. Yeah, it caused a few giggles...and was forgotten about.

Until December last year when some one reminded him, gleefully, of his bet. Gleefully because Dave was fifty and a massive five stone overweight, and had seemingly less chance of making it than a woolly mouse being chased by an asbestos cat through hell. But they don't know our Dave, determination is his middle name. So in January 2012 he set to training...by August 2012 he had dropped five stone, honed his body through some sheer back breaking training regimes, and he entered the British Natural Body Building Championships, over 50's category...job done...well more than done...he was crowned British Champion. Amazing, truly amazing...and then he was automatically entered into the World Masters Naturl Body Building Championship in Miami in November...

Last Saturday, David O'Byrne was crowned WORLD MASTERS WORLD CHAMPION in Miami.

A truly stunning achievement, so proud of you Dave lad, you are the very epitome of determination and never say die attitude. So yep, Dave won his bet...and retires undefeated, as this was all a one off, another box ticked on the 'What Dave O'Byrne wants to do in life...' list...

I'M FRANK MORGAN returns to Salford, the place of his birth, later this month. I wrote the play whilst I was still a student at Salford University. Obviously I had no idea this play would be the corner stone of the 'urban empire' that is now TALES FROM PARADISE HEIGHTS. His dark deeds in this tale continue to echo through the other seperate story's (and complete tales in their own right) in the series. Nor did I know then that in 2012 Director Ian Curley would completey re-interpret the same text in his bold and innovative direction of the play. This new version debuted at The Octagon Theatre, Bolton, in September to fantastic reviews.

Booking in advance saves you a couple of quid too, although eventbrite have got the name of the play wrong - bless 'em, you can book at the link below - or pay 8 quid on the door on the night(s). BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE:http://iamfrankmorgan.eventbrite.com/#

Image by DARREN McGINN

Image by DARREN McGINN

It's on for a short 3 night run at The John Cooper Clark Studio, The Black Lion, Chapel Street, Salford from Thursday 15th November through to Saturday 17th November at 8:00 pm. It's a great opportunity to see the origin of the series, so try to get down there for a drink and a play, it will be great to see you...Joe x

BOYS AND GIRLS OF EVERY AGE...WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE SOMETHING STRANGE...?Getting in the HALLOWEEN spirit at Tales from Paradise Heights so for the next 24 hours you can watch THE WATCHER: A Tale from Paradise Heights for free, please feel free to share the film and we'd appreciate it if you did! Check elsewhere on this site for all about the making of the film - there's a real mood and atmosphere to this film, shot beautifully and some cracking perfomances. You can also check out BEN MOTTERSHEAD's excellent documentary on the making of the film.Leave us your feedback, we'd love to hear what you think...EVERYBODY SCREAM! EVERYBODY SCREAM! IN OUR TOWN OF HALLOWEEN....PARADISE HEIGHTS

I'm delighted to announce that I'M FRANK MORGAN (the play) will be playing THE BLACK LION, in the JOHN COOPER CLARK Studio, for three nights from Thursday 15th November through till Saturday 17th November @ 8:00 pm. The first tale to come from Tales from Paradise Heights, it's a fantastic introduction to the series and the events portrayed here continue to echo throughout the other tales. The resident 'bad guy' casts a long shadow over The Heights. A very familiar figure to fans of the series, and he's been played by myself and the very versatile Ian Curley. There will be many that will have seen the original interpretation of this at The Lowry in 2010, directed by Ian Curley. However for 2012, Ian has taken a fundamental re-approach to the character and the play; this version debuted at The Octagon Theatre in September to truly fantastic reviews. I wrote this play whilst I was a student at Salford University - and the City of Salford has had a massive influence on the series so I'm delighted we're bring the play to Salford's BLACK LION - and in The JOHN COOPER CLARK Studio (Big fan of Johnny). These tales were born in Salford...come and see the re-birth of I'M FRANK MORGAN. Details in the flyer below (designed by the fantastic DARREN McGINN) you'll be able to book your tickets later this week, stay tuned for further updates...Joe

First off an apology is due from me to a fellow actor and great award winning writer, Richard Vergette. Richard wrote the award winning AS WE FORGIVE THEM, a play again set in a cell, but this time a cell on death row in America. I've stated elsewhere that David Slack and Cathy Crabb recommended me for the production, but I wasn't the first to be approached for this role. I had completely overlooked the fact that Richard had been approached first and couldn't play the part due to other commitments. Richard recommended me to Michael then approached me - and I then approached Michael. I can't fathom for the life of me why I have forgotten this, apart from the fact that it's been a very busy period for me and I'm meeting myself coming back at the moment, head up my ass? Yes, I'd say so - it's Richard I have to thank for the original tip off and I do so here, you're a gem mate and thanks for the big up - first few drinks on me tonight Richard!It's been great having a short sabbatical away from Tales from Paradise Heights, getting involved in Michael Crowley's excellent, hard hitting and relevant play THE CELL - here are Michael's thoughts on the work we have been doing this week.'The Cell' development week at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton, 8th-12th October

10.10.2012I have an almost entirely new cast on my hands, which means re rehearsing of course, but it provides more opportunities than anything else. Joe O’Byrne is my new Scully (the play’s protagonist) and has learned his lines very quickly indeed. We are now into finding news aspects to the character and Joe is capturing his troubled nature so well. The key to the story is Scully’s descent, making it credible whilst at the same time still surprising the audience. Whilst he is becoming more vulnerable in this production, the prisoner Kelly is becoming more severe.

I worry a great deal about the message the play is sending out. I work in a prison and I believe in what I and my colleagues are trying, and sometimes succeeding in achieving there. I was there this morning before rehearsals, in a class with half a dozen lads running a poetry workshop: memoir drawn from a road significant, familiar to the young writer. There was the road where a grandmother died, where a father beat his wife and son, where a boy was knocked down, where diazepam was acquired for a fatal overdose, where a home was invaded. David Barlow who plays Kelly in The Cell came to the prison to work with lads and seems to have absorbed something. His Kelly is seasoned; sensibilities buried alive like so many of the lads. Joe O’Byrne and Jonnie Moran have brought extensive experience and any development of this play is collaborative.

Dreamscope Productions filmed one of the 24:7 shows and this film along with the script is already being used in several prisons as a basis for writing and drama exercises to tackle bullying. Changing people is like writing though, it takes many drafts and this morning I was also with a lad who helped me develop the first draft when he was inside, came to see it on release at 24:7, and is now back in. We’re working on a new play.